Sunday’s at 10:30am

Our community was founded in 2015 by Jesse and Liz Mendoza. It all began with a few small groups that quickly flourished into a movement across the Bay Area. Eventually we began gathering on Sunday mornings in San Jose.

We invite you to join us in the story of redemption. Wherever you are in life, come as you are.

We are a place for everyone.

We love the bay.

We love our weird people, entrepreneurs and their wild dreams, and our diverse culture. We love our commitment to innovation and city renewal right alongside protecting and empowering the vulnerable. The Bay Area is full of dreamers.

We are locals and transplants who are longing for connection, fulfillment, and meaning. But here is the reality: we won't find our purpose until we find our people. Jesus calls us to meet this need.

We are building a community of belonging:

We are building a community of real friendships: we believe that real friendship is central to the ways of Jesus, and that often happens over good food. Jesus shows us how to pour into relationships of intimacy by doing life in full with one another. We see eating together, creating space to co-work, and creating space to raise our little ones around friends as a central part to how we follow the ways of Jesus.
This community will be known for redeeming faith: we believe in good rhythms that root us in a healthy space for wrestling, lamenting, and hosting critical conversations around contemporary issues.
We are building a community for city renewal: we envision a house for redemptive enterprise, micro-businesses, start-ups, co-working space, and an ethos centered around our common life together. We dream of creating an incubator for redemptive enterprises. We are locking arms with those in our town that are already doing the hard and good work of city renewal; we want to both protect and preserve our areas rich history and culture while playing our part to see our bright future manifested in our time.

The way of Jesus is the way of dreamers and adventurers. It’s the way of bridge builders who want to pull up a seat at the table for the person who’s been left out. We believe the way of Jesus celebrates and offers something vital to our community.

We are pioneering a vibrant and fresh approach to church uniquely for the people of The Bay - where creativity, compassion, belonging, purpose come together to bring hope to the heart of our city. We would love for you to be a part of it.

Who leads The Gathering?

The Gathering was founded in 2015 by Jesse & Liz Mendoza, who were longing for a real and authentic faith community, unlike the overly religious churches that are not making a difference in anyones life. Dave Herring & Jenn Buxton joined The Gathering leadership in 2021 to further the mission and vision to invite people into the story of redemption.

Who is The Gathering for?

You may have heard of the church, and have a bad taste in your mouth. Or maybe you grew up around the church, but have been disconnected because once you started to unpack and unlearn a few things, it became pretty disheartening or overwhelming. Perhaps you feel desire for faith, but worry about all-the-things that come along with it. Or maybe you’re just curious about who the real Jesus was - a dark-skinned refugee who died at the hands of the religious elite?

We are a place for everyone. That means you, with no limits. You will find love & respect at The Gathering. So grab some coffee and have a seat at our table. Let’s journey, wrestle, and look towards hope together.